A Communication received from Network Rail received 14th August 2019
Update from Network Rail: Norwich Yarmouth Lowestoft (NYL) re-signalling project
I am writing to let you know that we are planning to complete the modernisation of the Wherry lines signalling systems in February 2020. Passengers in Norfolk will benefit from a significant upgrade in reliability and safety when a digitally-enabled signalling system goes live after the Wherry lines close for planned engineering works during February 2020. The signalling system will be controlled from the Colchester Rail Operating Centre.
We are planning to complete these upgrades during a phased 23-day programme of works in February 2020 which will require train services to be suspended. The signals will be switched on and six level crossings at Brundall, Cantley, Lingwood Chapel Road, Lingwood Station Road, Oulton Broad North and Strumpshaw will be upgraded to full barriers with remotely controlled CCTV which will improve safety for level crossing users.
To take full advantage of the line closures, we have rescheduled repairs and renewals work to coincide with the re-signalling project, including a full bridge replacement at Postwick and track renewals at Lowestoft, Acle and Hassingham. The bridge at Postwick has come to the end of its life, and a new bridge structure will be installed that is designed to last 120 years.
Additional maintenance works will be carried out to Reedham and Somerleyton swing bridges to improve reliability of services by upgrading the current detection systems which have been in use since the mid-1940s.
During this crucial work to transform the Wherry lines, train services will not operate, instead a rail replacement bus service will operate on the following routes:
- Saturday 1 February to Sunday 2 February – between Norwich and Great Yarmouth
- Monday 3 February to Sunday 16 February – between Norwich and Great Yarmouth, Norwich and Lowestoft and between Beccles and Lowestoft
- Monday 17 February to Sunday 23 February – between Norwich and Lowestoft
We are advising anyone wishing to travel across these routes in February 2020 to plan ahead and check their service with Greater Anglia before travelling. A bus replacement service will be in place to allow passengers to continue their journey.
The work will see train services resume on the branch line between Reedham and Yarmouth (serving Berney Arms station), which has been closed since October 2018. The introduction of this vital signalling system onto the Wherry lines follows the success at Old Oak Common depot in 2018, which is now performing well as part of the signalling system for the Crossrail depot and Shepperton in Feltham, in 2019 – both being used for passenger services.
I hope this information is helpful. If you require anymore information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
For more information about the project please visit our project webpage: www.networkrail.co.uk/nyl
Our press release can be found here: https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/23-days-of-engineering-work-to-complete-modernisation-of-wherry-lines
Kind Regards
Stephen Deaville
Snr Communications Manager (Anglia)
[email protected]
1 Stratford Place I Montfichet Road I London I E20 1EJ
